PAN, May 31, 2012

Husband cuts off pregnant wife’s tongue

Nagina's husband cut off her tongue. According to her mother it was because she had refused prostitution. (Photo: PAN)

Family members and human rights activists on Thursday asked the government to investigate physical abuse of a married girl whose tongue was cut off by her husband in northern Balkh province.

Women Affairs Department officials said the accused, Saleh Mohammad, who had been arrested, cut off tongue of his pregnant wife, Nagina, on Wednesday after she refused to have a bizarre sexual act with him.

The incident occurred in Jangori area of Chahar Boldak district. The 17-year-old miscarried after her husband hit her in the stomach, officials said.

Nagina is said to be in a stable condition now and has been sent to a shelter house. A case has been registered against Saleh Mohammad, 22.

Nagina’s mother told Pajhwok Afghan News she would seek justice for her daughter, who was married to Saleh one year ago.

She said Saleh tried to force her daughter into prostitution and on refusal, the husband cut off her tongue.

But Fariba Majeed, the provincial Women Affairs Department director, said Saleh had tried to force Nagina into “bizarre sex acts”, something considered un-Islamic in relations of spouses.

Police spokesman Sher Jan Durrani said they had completed their investigations and the case had been referred to a court. He refused to provide further information.

According to Mohammad Zahir Nadir, the provincial attorney office head, they received the case on Thursday.

Syed Mohammad Samih, the human rights commission head in north, demanded of the government and judicial organs to investigate the incident properly.